In 2013, he had the 11th lowest WAR for relievers in the NL with 50 IP. he had the 17th worst LOB% (left on base%), at 74.8, meaning 15.2% of the runners who were ever on base while he was on the mound scored. He was the 6th worst at giving up homers (1.91 per IP).

While I agree with you (Bruce usually makes that play), Ondrusek still served up a ball that Holiday crushed to the wall in RF after showing he was happy going fishing that night (2K earlier on breaking balls down). It’s sort of flimsy, I know, but I don’t think it’s 100% on Bruce. It was have been a good play if he made it, which is why the scorer likely called it an error.

If we had that money to keep Choo, it would have been better spent on a package for a big bat in LF. Reds never were going to keep Choo – it was a smart decision given the exorbibant amount of money required.

the third was obviously more outside than the first. if it makes you feel better to call him an idiot go ahead, but bad calls are bad calls. there’s a reason for the strike zone. it’s because it’s very hard to do anything productive with balls that are outside of it. i’m not going to say that votto should be forced to lunge out over the plate to hit a curveball, just because the ump is doing his job poorly.

And yes, it was indeed outside. That said, so were the other 2 strikes and the umpire called them. No reason to think he isn’t going to call it again. Love Joey but he’s got to at least try to fight one off there.

LW, he is a perfect #2 hitter so move him there. I heard Jim Leyland talk about Cabrerra and how with RISP he expandsd his strike zone because he believes it is his job first and foremost is to drive in runs. JV has the prefect mindset for a #2 hitter so put him there.

True… Arguing balls and strikes is a guaranteed way of getting yourself tossed too. “You’ve got to be ******* kidding.” said in a very calm tone of voice while I was catching one day was good enough for one ump. Ended up getting my money’s worth before going to the ‘clubhouse’ though. And I almost never argued.

Guys, I wore my Redlegs shirt to work today to try and help turn this ship around! Now you may question the effectiveness of wearing a shirt when I’m in Minnesota and the game is in St Louis, but the Reds were 12-0 last season when I wore this shirt. The numbers never lie.

I posted in the other tread about how the standing second inning interview with a beat reporter on the radio is often bad news, but Fay is usually better luck than Sheldon. Fay just proved that true. Good job, Mr. Leake (and Mr. Fay).

In that situation, which Phillips was in a lot in spring; he never works the count. He swings at just about every pitch; and has taken a total of 5 pitches in 9 AB’s with Hamilton on first base.

Even though he singled, he didn’t allow Hamilton a chance to take the base, which we know he can do on his own. So by advancing Hamilton to second, he’s really not doing anything Hamilton can do on his own.

So unless Votto comes through with a big hit, it’s a wasted single. However, if he works the count and hits that single later, it’s 1-0 Reds.

Can’t follow you there. Maybe if there were less than two outs. But I don’t know that I can get behind criticizing a guy and making it his “job” to watch Billy Hamilton every time he’s on base and then hit. He did a good job, advanced the runner. Needing a run in the 9th? Ok, then I could get behind it.